Qutub-e-Ramzan
Ramadan
is the holiest month for Muslims. Every year, Muslims around the world fast
during daylight hours.
What is Ramadan?
Ramadan
is the ninth month in the Muslim lunar calendar. Healthy adult Muslims fast in
Ramadan from dawn until dusk. This includes abstaining from drinking, eating,
immoral acts and anger. Other acts of worship such as prayer, reading the Quran
and charity are also encouraged during the holy month.
Muslims
also believe the Quran was revealed in Ramadan.
During
the holy month, Muslims wake up early to eat a pre-dawn meal called suhoor, and
they break their fast with a meal referred to as iftar.
It is
common for mosques to host large iftars, especially for the poor and needy.
Nightly prayers called Tarawih are also held in mosques after iftar.
Different
cultures have different traditions during Ramadan, whether it is a special food
they must cook, or eating iftar with the extended family. Islamic tenets such
as generosity inspired most of these traditions, including sharing food and
inviting guests over for iftar.
However,
this year Ramadan will most certainly be a less festive time, amid the coronavirus
pandemic as all nations, including Muslims ones, take precautions to curb the
spread of the virus by banning or limiting social gatherings, and closing
mosques.
Saudi
Arabia's grand mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz al-Sheikh, the highest religious
authority in the kingdom, assested that prayers during Ramadan, including
nightly Tarawee and Eid al-Fitr prayers, should be performed at home as the
pandemic rages on around the world, Saudi newspaper Okaz reported.
When is Ramadan?
Since
Ramadan is part of the lunar calendar, its date annually changes on the
Gregorian calendar. Muslims tend to wait for the new month's moon to appear
before they announce the first day of Ramadan. However, they can still estimate
the day beforehand.
This
year Ramadan begins on Thursday, April 23 in most Muslim-majority nations.
How long is Ramadan?
Lunar
months last between 29 to 30 days depending on when the new moon is sighted. If
the moon is not seen on the night of the 29th day, then Ramadan lasts for the
full 30 days.
The
Eid al-Fitr celebration marks the end of the month when Muslims celebrate a
successful Ramadan of fasting and worship
Why do Muslims fast during Ramadan?
Fasting
is one of the five pillars of Islam. There is also a verse in the Quran that
prescribes fasting for all Muslims who are mature and healthy enough to do so
for the full day.
So
Muslims fast as an act of worship, a chance to get closer to God, and a way to
become more compassionate to those in need.
Fasting
is also seen as a way to learn patience and break bad habits.
Really well said & explained about Ramzan..... hope the Almighty brings everyone closer & live peacefully.
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